Team faced tough competition against 34 universities in major student sporting event

Team Kosovo from RIT-A.U.K, Rochester Institute of Technology’s partnership with the American University in Kosovo, claim victory in the sport of Futsal, a version of five-a-side soccer.

In the 2015 European competition, RIT Kosovo remained undefeated in a 7-game winning streak, outscoring their competitors 33-10. They competed and won matches against Rome, Moscow, Paris, and in the championship game, beat Czech Technical University in Prague, 3-1.

Futsal, also referred to as mini-soccer, was developed in Brazil in the 1930s and 1940s, and consists of two teams of five players each, one of whom is the goalkeeper. The game is played on basketball-sized courts, both indoors and out without the use of sidewalls.

Shend Mulliqi, president of University Sport Kosovo, said the rivalry was fierce as the team competed against 34 universities in Europe’s largest student sporting event—where even universities from Africa and Asia participate on a regular basis.

“Even though we faced tough competition throughout the journey, our team’s quality has made the difference, leading us to the first place trophy and medals,” said Mulliqi. “Our team’s mission was to make those who supported and believed in us proud.”

And it worked.

“Wow, what an accomplishment,” said RIT President Bill Destler in an email response to Mulliqi. “Congratulations to the whole team!”